Sitting here in my own retreat I am wondering how come I am finding it so hard to write my memories of Chris, I have come to the conclusion that part of me still does not want to let her go. The loss I still find hard for me to realise.
It was in 1991 that I first met Christine - I was waiting in one of Manchester University many rooms for a group of part-time students to arrive to teach them the Introductory course in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy. She was an able and bright student and we quickly established an affinity between us as she was so interested and curious about life and what made people tick. I loved her enthusiasm and energy even then.
She went on to join our first ever Psychotherapy Training group and quickly established herself as a much loved and enthusiastic Trainee. Chris took psychotherapy and people to her heart she became a member of our staff and soon had a thriving practice. I loved her being around the Institute, her grace and enthusiasm and seeming endless energy around the Institute a dimension never forgotten.
As her Therapist I was privileged to know her in a way that only that relationship permits, I witnessed her struggles and courage at first hand. I cheered her, laughed with her and together we loved the world, we went to the dark side of the moon and came back more enriched and determined to love life to the full.
Chris loved to live life; she lived it with a level of enthusiasm and courage, which I will hold close to my heart. She will be sadly missed.
My last ending memories of Chris epitomised her - she came to spend some time with my Wife and me at our home in Chorlton, it was July 1997 six weeks before she died.
She had been really excited at seeing the new conservatory that we had just had built in our back garden. It was a beautiful day and she seemed so tranquil and talked so much about the beauty of life and the love for her family. I thought at the time what a special spirit she was and how lucky the spirit world would be to embrace her! I think I knew in that final hug as we said goodbye that I would never see her again on this earth, however I fought vainly at that moment to time to push those feelings away. I often think of Chris her smile her love and her very being and I often console myself with the old Sufi saying "a person is never really dead till the last person who knew them dies".